(Stock photo, not Jamo)
DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and Aurora Chief of Police Keith Cross announced Thursday that $100,000 bond has been set for an Aurora man charged with shooting a neighbor’s dog in the head.
At approximately 8:45 p.m. on March 10, an 8½-year-old German Shepherd named Jameson (Jamo) was out for a walk with members of his family, one of whom is a ten-year-old girl. They allegedly encountered the accused across the street walking his dog. It is alleged that the accuser’s dog began to bark at which time Jamo wiggled out of his harness and approached him and his dog.
Jamo allegedly ran circles around the man and his dog before trotting towards them. When Jamo was approximately four to five feet away, it is alleged that the man pulled out a gun and, without a warning, shot Jamo in the head, with the bullet entering the right side of Jamo’s nose and exiting through his left ear.
After being shot, Jamo returned to his front porch and the accused allegedly left the scene.
Jamo was immediately taken to a local Veterinary Hospital where he received medical attention. He has since been released and is recovering from his injuries.
“It is alleged that without provocation, [the accused] pulled out a loaded handgun and shot a family pet just feet away from family members, including a ten-year-old girl,” Berlin said. “These allegations are simply unconscionable. This type of conduct will not be tolerated and will be met with the full force of the law. Because of his alleged actions, [the accused] is now facing three felony charges. We are all thankful that Jamo is currently safe at home and appears to be recovering well from his injuries.”
“The Aurora Police Department has zero tolerance for anyone recklessly firing a gun in our city,” Aurora Police Chief Keith Cross said. “I want to thank our detectives and the DuPage County State’s Attorney’s Office for their work on this case to bring justice to Jamo’s family.”
The accused man was taken into custody without incident on an active arrest warrant yesterday afternoon following a traffic stop by Aurora Police. He has been charged with one count of Aggravated Cruelty to Animals, one count of Reckless Discharge of a Firearm and one count of Criminal Damage to property, all Class 4 Felonies.
His next court appearance is scheduled for May 4, 2022, for arraignment in front of Judge Kinsella.
